D-Day Dodgers

[Slipdigit]

"How can Australia claim to be part of the victory if they weren't on a beach on D-Day?"

There sure were a butt-load of them on Bougainville and in North Africa.

[spidge]

Hi Jeff,

No doubt there would have been Australian divisions there if the Japanese had not been beating a path to our neck of the woods.

[Slipdigit]

Spidge,

It will certainly make you think twice about sending your troops cracking about nearly 10,000 miles away when you have an enemy close enough to see your knickers.

Did that sound British enough to be in this forum?

[George Wilkinson]

Just to add a bit from the Canadian side. My Uncle Lorne was killed in France (Igoville) as has been discussed here before. His brother Dave was one of those D-Day Dodgers. He fought with the Lord Strathcona Horse.

Landed in Italy Dec 1 1943 and on the defensive line at Ortona by Jan 44
Melfa River May 24/44
Gothic Line Sept 1/44
Misano Ridge Sept 3/44
Lamone Crossing Dec 12/44
Fosso Munio Dec 19/44
Landed in Southern France Feb 18/45 and ended the war in Holland.

Not much of a holiday!

Dave is gone now. He could laugh at the D-Day Dodger label because he knew the truth. All the Allies in Itally got much less credit than they deserve, but then, they didn't do it for the laurels did they?

George W

[Amisuk]

On the British side i'm in the process of researching my grandfathers time in Italy (1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment):

Landed Naples 29th July 1944
Castle of Vincigliato August 1944
Monte Cerceri
Fiesole
Florence September 1944
Grezzano area attack on the Gothic line after 12th September 1944 which is where the weather took a turn for the worst.
Paluzuolo
Point 714 (which talks of the battalion struggling and fighting up to their knees in mud)
Ranzuolo Ridge October 1944
Monte Cece
Point 677
Hills south of Bologna November 1944
Monte Cerere
Monte Calderaro December 1944

It mentions the shortage of rations and ammunition, the soaking rain, the mud, the difficulty of helping the wounded, and the stubborness of the enemy.

I visited Italy last year (unfortunately before I had my grandfathers record), but in the places I visited, you can't imagine how difficult it must have been for them to fight their way throught the terrain, and towns in such conditions.

I think they certainly did their part as much as those who fought on the beaches of Normandy (My Great Uncle survived Gold Beach through to the end of the war, and still going well at 89!).

Regards
Paul

[simonvent]

Hi Paul
I am propably able to help you in your research in Italy.
Please contact me.

Simon

[Harry Ree]

I have to say that I have always dismissed this jibe.If it originated from Lady Astor,it would be typical of a woman who was out of touch with the happenings of real life at peace or at war. She was known for her irrational remarks and I do not suppose not many people in military leadership took too much notice of her.Unfortunately she had the platform to air her views on anything and expected the rest to take notice of her.

Apart from being the first woman to sit in Paliament, could anybody outline anything positive that she would be remembered for.Fortunate for the conduct of operations and outcome of the war, she held no executive responsibility.

Perhaps I am being too harsh on her.

[4th wilts]

i understood there were australian typhoon pilots strafing all along the overlord beaches.yours,4th wilts.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by 4th wilts

i understood there were australian typhoon pilots strafing all along the overlord beaches.yours,4th wilts.

You are correct. For every Australian in a RAAF squadron there were three in RAF squadrons.

Of the 26 squadrons of Typhoons Australian pilots flew many of them.